Facing Hu Youjia's pleas for mercy, Lu Ming showed disdain.
He snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Now you know regret? It's too late. The company has already fired you, how can you rehire someone after firing them? Isn't that just messing around?"
Hu Youjia's face turned extremely ugly. He lowered his head, his hands incessantly picking at each other.
If he were truly fired, how would his family survive?
After the "red face" had played its part, it was time for the "white face."
"Ahem," Su Wanran cleared her throat and said, "Old Hu has worked in our company for almost five years. He's a veteran, diligent, and technically skilled. I think it wouldn't be impossible to show leniency and rehire him."
A smile reappeared on Hu Youjia's face.
There was still hope!
But Lu Ming strongly objected, "No! If I fire them and then rehire them immediately, where does that leave my authority as Vice President?"
The two parties held firm to their positions, creating a stalemate.
This time, it was the peacemaker Jiang Mengxin's turn to step in.
She advised, "I think both of your points are valid. How about this: we can rehire him, but he will have a three-month probationary period. During this period, his salary will only be 60%. If his performance is good, he can be officially hired after three months; if not, he will never be employed again. What do you think of this proposal?"
This proposal managed to save Hu Youjia, uphold Lu Ming's authority, and also significantly reduce costs.
It was a move that killed three birds with one stone.
Su Wanran nodded, "I have no problem with that."
Lu Ming thought for a moment and reluctantly said, "Hmph, this is practically letting him off too easily."
Jiang Mengxin smiled slightly and asked Hu Youjia, "What do you think?"
Hu Youjia quietly calculated. Only receiving 60% of his salary for three months was tough, but he could manage. As long as he was officially hired afterward, his salary would return to normal, and then he wouldn't have to worry.
Moreover, the company had various incentive programs now. If he worked harder during the probationary period, he could make up for the reduced salary.
Once he figured it out, Hu Youjia nodded affirmatively, "I am willing to start as an intern and accept 60% of the salary."
"Good!" Jiang Mengxin said, "Then it's settled, we will rehire Hu Youjia."
Su Wanran smiled happily.
Lu Ming's lips drooped. He said to Hu Youjia, "Three months. You better perform well and not let down the good intentions of Director Su and Family Head Jiang, understood?"
"Yes, yes, I understand. I will definitely work hard and never cause trouble again," Hu Youjia thanked them profusely.
Afterward, Hu Youjia left the office with a beaming smile.
As soon as he was gone, Su Wanran gave Lu Ming a thumbs-up and said, "Impressive, Lu Ming. It turned out exactly as you predicted!"
Jiang Mengxin also said, "Furthermore, making him work for three months as an intern with only 60% salary is also a form of punishment. He's learned his lesson and won't dare to make mistakes easily in the future."
It could be said that Hu Youjia was completely under their control.
Over the next hour, the other 15 researchers came to the office one after another, all requesting to stay, just like Hu Youjia.
No one wanted to leave!
In the end, all 16 members of the research department were rehired less than three hours after being fired.
However, they all had to start as interns with only 60% of their salary.
After this farce, they would never dare to defy Su Wanran and Lu Ming again. And since Su Wanran had rehired them, their backgrounds were now clean.
In the future, they wouldn't have to constantly defer to Su Fei'ang's moods.
...
Su Family, Main Residence.
In the spacious and bright living room, Su Ru was watching television with the Old Madam, Shen Dianlan. They were watching a popular anti-crime and anti-corruption drama.
Just as they were engrossed, the butler walked in.
"Old Madam, important intelligence has arrived from the company."
Shen Dianlan raised her hand slightly, "Speak."
The butler then recounted the day's events at the company in detail. Shen Dianlan initially paid little attention, but when she heard that Lu Ming had fired the entire research department, she was greatly shocked.
Shen Dianlan paused the television and listened intently to the butler's narration.
By the time the butler finished, Shen Dianlan felt as if she were dreaming. It was simply unbelievable; the day's events at the company were more dramatic than any television show.
"Alright, I understand. You may go now."
"Yes, Old Madam." The butler turned and left the living room, closing the door behind him.
Inside.
Shen Dianlan looked at Su Ru and said, "Did you hear that? Lu Ming's methods are so strong. He managed to weed out all the troublemakers in just one day! Not only that, but he has also revitalized the company. He's quite something."
Su Ru was also surprised.
According to her original plan, Su Fei'ang and Su Wanran were supposed to have a prolonged struggle.
Although Su Fei'ang would ultimately lose, Su Wanran would inevitably pay a heavy price, and then Su Ru would reap the benefits.
But she never expected that...
In just one day, Su Fei'ang was completely routed.
"Su Fei'ang is simply useless," Shen Dianlan said with contempt.
Su Ru, however, did not see it that way.
She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and said in her frail voice, "It's not that Su Fei'ang is weak, but that Lu Ming's methods are too powerful. If it were me, I would also find it difficult to counter his series of moves."
Shen Dianlan repeatedly shook her head, "Where did he come up with all these ingenious ideas?"
Su Ru said, "It's not necessarily all his ideas. Perhaps Jiang Mengxin and Su Wanran devised them together, and Lu Ming was just the executor. Lu Ming played the 'red face,' Su Wanran played the 'white face,' and Jiang Mengxin acted as the peacemaker. The three of them coordinated very well."
"What should we do now?" Shen Dianlan asked. "If this pace continues, Su Wanran will solidify her position as family head."
Solidify?
Impossible.
Su Ru sneered, "Don't worry, Mom. I have my own plans. I still have a few good cards in my hand, and I'll play them one by one."
"Oh?" Shen Dianlan asked curiously, "What other cards do you have?"
Su Ru said, "There's no rush to play the cards I have in hand. Let's completely drain the card currently on the table."
The card on the table?
Su Fei'ang?
Shen Dianlan frowned, "He's already at his wit's end. He didn't get the position of family head, Han Yun has left him, and all his former subordinates have been dealt with. What value does the current Su Fei'ang have?"
Su Ru said, "Precisely because he's at his wit's end, he has more value. You know, even a cornered dog will jump over a wall, let alone a human? Su Wanran is pushing him so hard, leaving Su Fei'ang with no way out. Then we will escalate the conflict and force Su Fei'ang to jump over the wall!"
Shen Dianlan immediately understood.
They would force Su Fei'ang to desperately lash out and take a big bite out of Su Wanran!
If he could injure or even kill Su Wanran, that would be best. Even if he had no effect, Su Ru would lose nothing.
It was a win-win situation, so of course, they had to do it!